CHICAGO -- Here’s a quick look at the Chicago Blackhawks’ 3-1 win over the New Jersey Devils at the United Center on Friday.
How it happened: Marian Hossa happened. Hossa continued his hot streak. With the Blackhawks trailing 1-0, Hossa scored a power-play goal from the right circle at 1:27 of the third period. It was the fourth consecutive game in which he had scored. Hossa wasn’t done. He set up a Jonathan Toews goal less than three minutes later. Hossa drove to the net and shot before Toews cleaned up the rebound for a goal to put the Blackhawks up 2-1. Kris Versteeg added an empty-net goal in the final minute. The Devils went ahead 1-0 after Peter Harrold scored on a shot from the right circle that deflected off Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford’s left pad and slid into the net at 15:30 of the first period. Crawford finished with 24 saves. Devils goaltender Cory Schneider made 27 saves.
What it means: The Blackhawks picked up their first win on the eight-game homestand; they lost in a shootout and in overtime during the first two games. The Blackhawks still haven’t had more than a two-game winless streak this season. They improved to 34-18-4 with 62 points and moved within eight points of the Central Division-leading Nashville Predators and within four points of the second-place St. Louis Blues. The Blackhawks have played one more game than each of them. The Devils dropped their third consecutive game and fell to 21-25-9 on the season. The Blackhawks’ power play has been noticeably different the past few games. It has benefited from having Hossa and Patrick Kane on the same unit. Both are carrying the puck into the zone and setting up the power play.
Player of the game: Hossa has been unreal the past four games. After posting 10 goals through 52 games, he has seven goals in the past four games. And Hossa has registered a goal or an assist on eight of the Blackhawks’ past 11 scores.
Stat of the game: Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook blocked a game-high five shots.
What’s next: The Blackhawks continue their homestand with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday afternoon. The Blackhawks defeated the Penguins 3-2 in a shootout on Jan. 21.
